October 16, 2007

We All Have Layers

Donkey: Oh, you leave em out in the sun, they get all brown, start sproutin' little white hairs.

Shrek: NO. Layers. Onions have layers. Ogres have layers. Onions have layers. You get it? We both have layers.

Ah how I sympathize with Shrek… So many layers.You know what else has layers?This Chocolate Applesauce cake.Andrew of Spittoon Extra is hosting this month’s edition of Waiter, There’s Something in My… and he’s chosen layer cake as the theme.I like layer cakes, the more the better.My problem is with slicing them; I always slice on an angle and end up with wonky layers, they’re my specialty.

If you’re looking to make a moist chocolate layer cake, you’d do well with this one.All of the applesauce in the cake helps to keep it from drying out and creates an excellent crumb.While spreading the frosting between the layers I was worried I’d run out, so instead of filling the middle layer with frosting, I thinned out some apple butter and used it instead.I thought it added a lot to the cake and would definitely make it this way again.

With electric beaters, blend oil, 1 cup sugar, vanilla and egg yolks on medium speed.In a separate bowl and with clean beaters, whip egg whites until foamy.Slowly add remaining ¾ cup sugar and continue whipping until whites hold a soft peak and set aside.Sift flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt and add to vegetable oil mixture alternately with applesauce on low speed, starting and finishing with dry ingredients.Fold in whipped whites and divide evenly between prepared pans, spreading to level.Bake for 30-35 minutes, until a tester inserted in the centre of the cake comes out clean.Let cakes cool completely in pans.

To make the frosting, melt butter and chocolate in microwave on medium, stirring every 10 seconds until smooth.Whisk in cocoa powder and vanilla.With electric beaters, incorporate 1 cup icing sugar, then add sour cream.Beat in remaining 1 cup icing sugar and increase speed, beating until frosting is a spreadable consistency.

To assemble, place 1 cake layer on a plate and slice in half horizontally.Spread a thin layer of frosting overtop of cake and then top with second half.Spread a thin layer of frosting overtop.Repeat with second cake layer, and spread remaining frosting overtop, then sides of cake.Chill until ready to serve.

What a lovely, moist-looking cake! I wish I had my cake pans with me so I could participate in this event, but alas, the most I can do is gawk at incredible cakes like yours... I suppose it could be worse, huh? ;)

That was a great idea to add the apple butter!! Sounds like a great fall cake. And I always have a hard time slicing the layers evenly as well. I guess that's why I've been sticking with cupcakes lately!!

I can tell just by looking at this how moist it is...and so rich and chocolatey...your layers look really good. And so does the angle of the slice. :-) I know exactly what you mean about slicing into a layer cake...it terrifies me, and I always start off with some odd shaped wedge which inevitably ruins any chance of ANY of the slices turning out properly.